The Million Dollar Homepage

In 2005, Alex Tew, a 21 year old student from Wiltshire, England, had the ingenious idea that would make him a fortune and a media sensation. He decided to create the Million Dollar Homepage, selling 100-pixel "blocks" measuring 10 × 10 pixels - one million pixels in all. Five months later, thanks to international media attention, he had reached his goal.

This concept was deemed “simple and brilliant” and grabbed the media by storm. Advertisers jumped on the bandwagon, purchasing their pixels (100 minimum due to size) all wanting to be part of the craze.